Ru 486 Misconceptions Myths and Morals - ressourcesfeministes

Claims for RU 486/PG Abortion1. RU 486Then, the researchers and clinicians added:2. RU 486+PGThen, the studies begin to cite:3. RU 486+PG+narcotic and other analgesicsThen came the addition of:4. RU 486+PG+analgesics+pre-medicationFinally, we read of:5. RU 486+PG+analgesics+pre-medication+antibiotics.In some cases, oral contraceptives have also been used tostop bleeding, and anti-diarrhea and anti-nausea medicationsfor the gastro-intestinal side-effects have been given to women.The history of the development and application of chemicalabortion has been an increasing regimen of drug cocktails.This is nothing new, of course, and has been part of thehistory of new reproductive medicine in general where allsorts of drug combinations, as well as ancillary medicalprocedures, are part of, for example, in vitro fertilizationtreatment (Klein/Rowland, 1988).Researchers and clinicians minimize the drug cocktaileffect, as they minimize other complications. As we evaluatedthe literature on complications, it became clear to us that themedical acceptance, without comment or criticism, of whathave now become ‘minimal,’ ‘tolerable,’ and ‘acceptable’ sideeffects for women—deserves to be highlighted for what it is—unethical medical practice. In conclusion, this point can bestbe illustrated by quoting a typical example of ‘acceptable’side-effects in one test group.Six patients had an incomplete abortion and in one thepregnancy continued unaffected. Side effects included intenseuterine pain after the prostaglandin administration (16%),vomiting associated with the antiprogestin intake (9%) andafter the prostaglandin administration (9%). One womanneeded emergency curettage due to heavy bleeding. Six47